4 Reasons to Avoid Pre-Cut Veggies

According to the United Fresh Produce Association, sales of pre-chopped foods have skyrocketed in the past two decades, as customers look for ways to make food preparation easier and faster. Pre-cut items may seem like the best culinary development since the deep fryer, but the next time you're tempted to grab that pre-bagged spinach or pre-grated Parmesan, think twice about...

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Tips For Creating the Ultimate Cheese Spread

Source: Tips For Creating the Ultimate Cheese Spread When it comes to appetizers, there's one quick and easy item that can be enjoyed year round: cheese. For impromptu entertaining, a cheese spread is the ideal starter, be it a Fall brunch or Summer cocktail party. The best thing about a cheese display is that it involves no cooking; it's a completely assembled dish....

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User Post: Roasted summer vegetable quinoa

Our garden finally decided to be a garden and grow a couple of tomatoes and zucchini. This summer was a bit cooler than usual, so the rest of my stuff (peppers, herbs, artichokes) didn't really take off. But, the other day, I had a good handful of happy stuff and while savoring the wonderfully fresh smell of my collection, I had an idea. Roasted summer vegetable quinoa....

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Fake It or Make It: French Onion Dip

Elizabeth GunnisonIn our column Fake It or Make It we test a homemade dish against its prepackaged counterpart to find out what's really worth cooking from scratch. By Elizabeth Gunnison, Bon Appétit I can't really explain why I eat the foods that I do while watching sports on TV. Normally I'm devoted to fresh ingredients--even organic ingreidnets--but some...

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3 Ways to Make the Perfect Popcorn

Photo: Nigel CoxStovetopPut ½ cup popcorn kernels and 2 Tbsp. canola, vegetable, or coconut oil into a large, deep pot. Cover tightly and cook over medium-high heat until kernels just begin to pop, 3 to 4 minutes. Give pot a firm up-and-down shake every 30 seconds or so. When popping has almost subsided, remove pot from heat and transfer popcorn to a bowl. Makes about 10 cups....

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5 cocktails you must try before summer ends

You're having a big blowout this weekend, right? Or at least a casual get-together to celebrate the end of summer in as many delicious ways possible. Even if you're not the one throwing the party, you don't want this summer to get away from you before trying the most amazing cocktails of all (summer) time. Just like the white clothes, after Labor Day, it may be time to...

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Vegan & Vegetarian Recipes for Labor Day Weekend

Written by Four Green Steps.com Soak up the last long weekend of summer with some of our favorite vegan and vegetarian recipes! Hungry for more? Bookmark our always-growing recipe section. Vegetable Quiche To Go Peanut Butter Pancakes Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough 'Blizzard' Tahini Ice-Cream Vegan Black Bean Burgers ...

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All-Grilled Labor Day Meal (Even the Drinks and Dessert Are Grilled!)

Let the grill do all the work this Labor Day weekend! Grilling adds wonderful flavor to any food—meats, veggies, and yes, even drinks and desserts. So fire up the grill for this all-grilled menu and enjoy!  Grilled Chicken with White Barbecue Sauce  Photo: Beth Dreiling HontzasIngredients1 Tbsp. dried thyme 1 Tbsp. dried oregano1 Tbsp. ground cumin1 Tbsp...

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How to Perfectly Grill Steak

Master the grill with these easy tips and techniques, plus a chef's secret for keeping steaks hot at the tableA quintessential part of summer grilling, a perfectly cooked steak with that charred, slightly smoky exterior and juicy, tender meat makes any meal complete. The best part is they're easy to cook and are incredibly satisfying. Plus, they can be prepared simply...

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Creative ways to save on groceries

We asked readers for their most creative, real-world ways to save on groceries. Here's what fits the bill.I hire a babysitter when I go shopping. I come home with a lot less junk food and impulse buys, and saving on the bill totally offsets the cost of the sitter. —Jennifer Parsons, Winfield, WII take out one or two groceries from my cart right before checkout and put...

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